Mary E. McKnight

Mary E. McKnight is an avid observer of people, a teacher of young children, a co-owner of an herb garden (Split Stone Farm LLC), a painter, and a lover of cats. She lives for kindness, creativity, and her amazing daughter. Her writing is the creative expression that feeds her soul, and she enjoys writing in a variety of genres. If she wasn’t her, she would probably be the Lorax. She lives in Ellicott City, Maryland, with her partner and their tortie, Abbey Rhodes.

Instagram: @breatheintoyourtoes/

Is there a genre of music that influences your writing/thinking? Do you listen to music while you write?

I have to go with 1970’s and ‘80’s classic rock.  If I can, I do. I also like to write in silence at times.

Is there a work of art that you love. Why? Have you ever visited it in person?

Monet’s series of his Garden in Giverney. Yes, I went to Paris and saw his works. The shear size blew me away. Oh, I also love, love, love, love Edward Hopper and saw his works at The National Gallery of Art in Washington.

What brings you great joy?

My daughter, my young students when they laugh and also when they figure something out and show me or tell me, and also our cat. She is a spicey Tortie.

What piece of clothing tells the most interesting story about your life?

My dad’s pants from Vietnam when he was stationed there during the war. Oh, and my first love’s shirt from The Naval Academy.

Do you speak a second language? Do you think differently in that language? Does it influence your writing?

Okay, so I lived in Germany, took German, and still wasn’t’ any where near fluent. I have picked it up again via Duolingo and am having fun. I understand way more than I can speak it.